Background: Newly delivered women and their newborns are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Adequate vitamin D is needed for normal growth and development. In addition, guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics state that exclusively breastfed infants should receive vitamin D supplements by 2 months. Objective: The study will determine vitamin D levels in Black, Hispanic, and White mothers and newborns in spring, summer, fall, and winter in a northern US climate (Boston). Methods: From a blood draw postpartum, we analyze 25(OH)D levels to measure vitamin D status in mothers and infant. Levels below 37.4 nmol (mother) or 27.5 nmol (infant) are considered deficient. Results: Between March 21 and December 20, 2005 (3 complete seasons) we enrolled 81 mother/infant pairs. Preliminary results for spring and summer show that among infants, the mean 25(OH)D level was 67.2 nmol (median 65 nmol; range 17.4 – 130.6 nmol). For mothers, the mean 25(OH)D level was 88.9 nmol (median 82.6 nmol, range 15-203 nmol). Black infants had a mean 25(OH)D level of 61.4 nmol, and White infants, of 73 nmol. Black mothers had a mean of 80.7 nmol, and White mothers, 91.3 nmol. Six (13%) infants and four (8%) mothers were vitamin D deficient in the spring and summer months. We anticipate greater deficiency in fall and winter. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency exists even in the summer months among mother/infant pairs in a northern climate.

Learning Objectives:

The learner will be able to identify the significance of vitamin D levels in mothers and newborns

The learner will be able to describe how vitamin D levels in mothers and newborns are of importance to the breastfeeding community

The learner will be able to describe vitamin D levels in an urban population of mothers and newborns in Boston.